Laboratory Diagnostic Technician

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land sea and waters of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View ourvision towards reconciliation.

Role highlights

• Work closely with colleagues managers and clients to ensure effective information transfer under quality management framework
• Help make a difference in the unique environment at the ACDP
• Full time indefinite role to enable increased capacity for emergency animal disease testing thereby increasing ACDPs preparedness to respond to an emergency animal disease event.

About CSIRO

As Australias national science agency CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone just like you joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit for more information.

The opportunity

As the Laboratory Diagnostic Technician you will be responsible for assisting with the delivery of outputs across a range of quality assured laboratory diagnostic particular the work will include disease surveillance testing for exotic and infectious diseases of veterinary significance and associated laboratory housekeeping activities. You will also provide assistance to other diagnostic teams within the program as required. The testing conducted primarily involves the use of antibody detection techniques such as Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus neutralization tests (VNTs).

In this role you will work in the biologically secure laboratories at physical containment level 3. The position forms part of the Diagnostic Serology team within the Diagnosis Surveillance and Response (DSR) program.

The DSR program at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) provides diagnostic and research capability required to investigate and respond to newly emerging diseases affecting livestock and other animals.

Please note that due to the nature of the role you will be required to meet ACDPs microbiological security and any other additional security assessment requirements as well as be appropriately vaccinated.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Work in a microbiologically secure laboratory as part of a multi-disciplinary team with responsibilities and outputs supporting and delivering quality assured diagnostic testing services (NATA/ISO 17025) for a broad range of viral pathogens as well as the exclusion of emergency animal diseases routine surveillance and biological sample testing.
• Contribute to quality assurance requirements including reporting results maintaining up-to-date and accurate test methods and proficiency testing.
• Undertake and complete tasks under technical direction working with discretion to decide on the timing of operations within the work teams plan including on-call rosters and planning to meet diagnostic testing demands.
• Assist the Serology Team Leader Technical Manager and Veterinary Investigation Team by providing oral and written advice upon request.
• Provide general laboratory support for housekeeping and maintenance activities.
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely and professional manner whilst maintaining an awareness of team diagnostic testing priorities with the flexibility to assist team workflow as required.
• As required work independently or collaboratively with colleagues on assigned activities including support for research projects implementation and timely completion of work.
• Independently and proactively test possible solutions to resolve identified problems.
• Perform other duties as directed.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements:Geelong VIC - Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP)

Salary: AU$76k AU$96k per annum (pro rata for part-time) plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite full time.

Reference: 102817

As the successful candidate you will bring:

Essential

• A Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree or equivalent relevant work experience in Biological Sciences or a related discipline.
• Experience conducting and coordinating laboratorybased experiments or tests with a demonstrated ability to plan and schedule laboratory workflow.
• Demonstrated ability to address underlying issues of complex and ill-defined problems in a timely and technically sound manner.
• Experience working both independently and co-operatively as a member of a larger project team with a demonstrated ability to form and maintain effective and respectful relationships with a range of colleagues and collaborators.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to document results and communicate effectively with colleagues and other stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience working in a diagnostic lab conducting and coordinating laboratorybased diagnostic tests including experience using a LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) within a quality management system.
• Experience working with infectious viruses in a PC3 laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform and troubleshoot serology testing such as ELISA HI and virus neutralization assays.

For full details about this role and other criteria please review the Position Description.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria there are many ways to demonstrate this. Dont let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO offering a range of options for how when and where you can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australias greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages abilities cultures faiths levels of education genders sexualities diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First Further Together Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA inclusion and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens only.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character clearance requirements.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to apply

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close

Wednesday 6th May 2026 11:59pm AEST